There's Covert Infiltration for the geoscape bit. Maybe that can be combined with Lightweight Strategy Overhaul, idk

I do Covert Infiltration + A Better Advent usually. Covert Infiltration adds some of the complexity to the strategy layer but leans into specific WOTC features (i.e. the Resistance Ring) rather than having Haven management and Liberation. ABA gives enemy variety on the tactical layer.

great thanks! I get confused with all the mod options, dependencies and conflicts.

You can play LWOTC with just a few gameplay altering mods that make it a bit easier to your taste. I don't know the mod names by heart but

mods:

commander's choice to chose class promotion for units
mod that allows you to pickup individual corpses on regular mission and evac them out (facilitates the strategic layer by improving your economy)

game options:

Enable resistance orders (disabled by default in LWOTC because they felt they couldn't balance it - so its a strict buff)
Check the option to use AP to unlock skills from same rows -> doesn't change the early game too much but makes more powerful late game supersoldiers so to speak.

There's a few other options that alter game difficulty quite a bit (baby chosen, chosen on vacation, even red fog is generally making the game a bit easier although when something goes wrong it tends to make it worse so its double edged)